Bank Robbery Lawyer in Myrtle Beach

Federal Defense Counsel for 18 U.S.C. § 2113 Charges in South Carolina

A federal bank robbery charge carries consequences that bear no resemblance to a state misdemeanor. The FBI investigates. A federal prosecutor files. Penalties can reach 20 to 25 years in prison, or life. T. Kirk Truslow, P.A. has represented clients in federal and state courts since 1995, and attorney T. Kirk Truslow approaches every serious charge the same way: by exhausting every legal avenue before considering a plea.

Federal bank robbery allegations move quickly once charges are filed. Call (843) 212-1116 any time, day or night, for a free consultation.

Trial Credentials That Matter in a Federal Robbery Case

Federal court is a different arena from state court. T. Kirk Truslow, P.A. has been admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit since 1995. Mr. Truslow holds a Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Trial Advocacy designation and an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating available through peer review.

That courtroom depth shows in the record. Mr. Truslow has served as lead counsel in more than 100 jury trials, including an 11-day federal mail fraud trial involving 20 counts, more than 70 witnesses, and 300 evidentiary exhibits. Among the firm’s published results is a Not Guilty verdict in an armed robbery case.

What 18 U.S.C. § 2113 Actually Covers

Section 2113 criminalizes taking or attempting to take money or property from a federally insured bank, credit union, or savings and loan association through force, violence, intimidation, or extortion. Federal jurisdiction attaches because virtually every bank and credit union carries FDIC insurance or Federal Reserve membership.

The statute reaches further than most people expect:

• Entry with criminal intent: Walking into a financial institution with intent to commit a felony or theft inside can be charged under the statute, even if no money changes hands.
• ATMs and armored vehicles: The statute extends to ATM robberies, armored truck robberies, and night depository thefts.
• Getaway drivers and lookouts: Under aiding and abetting and conspiracy theories, a participant who never entered the bank faces the same penalty tier as the person who took the money.
• Receiving stolen funds: Knowingly receiving, concealing, or disposing of money taken from a bank carries the same penalty tier as the underlying theft.

Federal Penalty Tiers Under the Bank Robbery Statute

The statute creates four distinct penalty levels based on what happened during the offense.

• Bank robbery or entry with felonious intent: Up to 20 years in federal prison plus fines.
• Assault or use of a dangerous weapon: The maximum increases to 25 years if the offense involved assault or endangered a life through use of a dangerous weapon, what federal law calls “armed bank robbery.”
• Kidnapping or death: If a person is kidnapped or killed during the robbery or escape, the offense carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years, with a maximum of life imprisonment or the death penalty.
• Bank larceny: The lesser offense under the statute, which doesn’t require force or intimidation, carries up to 10 years if more than $1,000 was taken, or up to one year for $1,000 or less.

An attempted robbery carries the same maximum as a completed one. Federal sentencing guidelines then layer on top of these statutory maximums, factoring in criminal history, the amount taken, and whether a firearm was present.

Speak With a Federal Defense Attorney Today

T. Kirk Truslow, P.A. offers a free initial consultation. The earlier an attorney is involved, the more options may remain open.

Mr. Truslow doesn’t treat a bank robbery allegation as a case to resolve quickly. He treats it as a case to defend. Call (843) 212-1116 now to speak with T. Kirk Truslow, P.A. about your situation.